⚔ NATO Defence Ministers met today (29 June 2017), taking stock of the Alliance’s work towards fairer burden-sharing, as well as NATO-EU cooperation.

⚔ In response to Trump’s pressure, allies who are not yet meeting a previously-agreed-upon target of 2 percent of annual GDP being spent on defense have agreed to step up efforts to move toward that goal.

⚔ Allies are also expected to announce individual figures for defense expenditures, after approval by NATO ambassadors, with the overall spending for 2017 at some $280 billion.

⚔ Stoltenberg on June 28 announced that NATO allies — with the exception of the United States — will increase defense spending by 4.3 percent this year, marking a cumulative $46 billion increase since 2014.

⚔ Currently, 25 out of 29 NATO allies plan to raise defense spending this year. NATO sets a goal of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defense for each member, but only the United States, Britain, Estonia, Greece, and Poland now meet that guideline, leaving the United States shouldering about 70 percent of the alliance’s expenditures.

To announce a political agreement on the EU – Japan free trade agreement and the Strategic partnership agreement

☯ The EU-Japan summit will take place on 6 July in Brussels. At the summit, leaders are expected to announce a political agreement on the EU-Japan free trade agreement and the EU-Japan strategic partnership agreement.

☯ EU and Japan leaders are expected to announce a political agreement on the EU-Japan free trade agreement and the EU-Japan strategic partnership agreement.

☯ Leaders will discuss measures to strengthen the EU-Japan partnership on security. Ongoing cooperation on counter-terrorism will be intensified, focussing on capacity building with third countries, tackling terrorism financing and foreign terrorist fighters. Leaders will also discuss cooperation in the fields of energy, science and technology, development, import restrictions and data protection.

☯ Leaders will stress their commitment to promote an open and fair global economy and refrain from all forms of protectionism. EU and Japan leaders will highlight their commitment to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate. They will also reaffirm their commitment to strengthen their cooperation on migration issues.

☯ Leaders will address recent developments in EU’s and Japan’s respective neighbourhoods, including the situation in the Korean peninsula. Leaders will also discuss the situation in Ukraine, Syria, as well as in the East and South China seas.

Implementation of the EU Global Strategy: The discussion is expected to cover all of the five priority areas for work on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, which includes: security and defence, building resilience and an integrated approach to conflicts and crises, strengthening the nexus between internal and external policies, updating existing or preparing new regional and thematic strategies and stepping up public diplomacy efforts.

EU-NATO Cooperation: The Council will adopt conclusions on the report, welcoming progress made in the implementation of the common set of proposals and calling for further steps in the same direction. The report highlights the width and depth of the EU-NATO relationship and outlines the key results obtained so far in the implementation of the common set of proposals, that is the 42 actions endorsed by the respective Councils of both organisations in December 2016. The report underlines the progress made in the 7 areas identified in the 2016

Counter-terrorism: The Council is expected to reiterate its strong and unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever and for whatever purpose. Noting that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that the EU has a vital interest in continuing to work with partners at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels in countering this diverse threat.

Migration : One year after the launch of the partnership framework, foreign ministers will take stock of the progress made regarding the EU’s comprehensive approach to effectively manage the external aspects of migration in key countries of origin and transit, on the basis of the 4th progress report by the High Representative and the Commission.

Iraq : Council is expected to highly commend the Iraqi Government of Prime Minister al-Abadi and the Iraqi security forces for the significant advances they have made in the military campaign against Da’esh over the past months. It is also due to reiterate its steadfast support for Iraq’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

What progress has been registered in the area of good governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights?

The ENP was reviewed in 2015 to respond to the new challenges of an evolving neighbourhood. Today’s report shows results following a new approach based on differentiation, joint ownership and flexibility.

The revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) reinvigorated the relations between the European Union and its neighbours to the East and South, with a greater focus on stabilisation, resilience and security.

A tailor made approach with each and every country, to ensure it addresses the real needs and interests, for the sake of all our citizens.

The reviewed ENP has mobilised significant support to reforms in four priority areas: good governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights; economic development for stabilisation; security; migration and mobility.

Foreign Affairs Council: EU for Syria, the situation in Libya, the situation in Yemen, EU and the League of Arab States, conclusions on the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, EU and the League of Arab States, The new partnership agreement is expected to be adopted at the London Somalia Conference on 11 May 2017.

Syria Conference: Bringing together ministerial representatives from 70 delegations, including from the EU and the region but also the wider international community, the United Nations, major donors and civil society, humanitarian and development organisations, the conference will address the situation in Syria and the impact of the crisis in the region.

NATO: First, fair burden-sharing to keep the transatlantic bond strong. The Alliance have started to increase defence spending, but needs to keep up the momentum and meet the pledge the allies have all made.
The second major topic will be stepping up NATO’s efforts to project stability and fight terrorism.